NASA has commenced fuelling its moon rocket in preparation for a lunar mission, marking humanity’s first journey to the moon in over fifty years. The launch, scheduled for Wednesday evening, will carry a crew of four astronauts, including three Americans and one Canadian.
As hydrogen fuel was pumped into the 32-storey Space Launch System rocket, anticipation mounted within the launch team. Following issues with hydrogen leaks during earlier countdown tests, there was considerable tension, but by mid-morning, no leaks had been detected. The mission requires over 2.6 million litres of fuel to be loaded before the crew can board.
Commander Reid Wiseman expressed excitement about setting off for the mission, emphasising that “it is time to fly.” The weather is expected to be favourable for the launch. The crew will not orbit the moon but will fly around it, achieving a distance record by venturing approximately 6,400 kilometres beyond the lunar surface before returning for a splashdown in the Pacific.
This mission, called Artemis II, follows the last manned moon landing during the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. It is the first step towards NASA’s ambition of establishing a permanent base on the moon, with plans for a landing near the lunar south pole targeted for 2028. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman remarked that a new era of exploration is beginning.
Messages of support have been pouring in, including one from King Charles III directed at Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, who will make history as the first non-American citizen to launch to the moon. The crew also includes Christina Koch and Victor Glover, who will be the first woman and first Black astronaut, respectively, to reach the lunar vicinity.
In this groundbreaking mission, the astronauts symbolise a bridge between nations and generations, embodying the courage and vision required to explore beyond our planet.